Newcastle look blunt without Alexander Isak as Wes...

Ekitike shines but defensive concerns for Liverpool?

Jamie Carragher hit out at Liverpool’s “unbelievable” and “completely surprising” defending of their 4-2 win over Bournemouth – saying they won’t retain their Premier League title in the event that they proceed with these requirements.

Liverpool received on an emotional evening at Anfield due to late targets from Federico Chiesa and Mohamed Salah – however they got an actual scare by the Cherries as Antoine Semenyo’s quickfire double cancelled out targets both facet of half-time by Hugo Ekitike and Cody Gakpo.

Each of Semenyo’s targets noticed Liverpool caught out on the transition – with Bournemouth’s second purpose seeing the younger ahead run almost the size of the pitch earlier than discovering the underside nook.

Carragher additionally hit out at Ibrahima Konate, who he felt was answerable for poor defending for each targets.

“It’s unbelievable,” mentioned Carragher on Friday Night time Soccer. “It is implausible from Semenyo – however Liverpool have had this downside.

“What number of gamers have been forward of the ball – perhaps eight gamers – once they have been successful 2-1? That may’t occur. It is completely surprising at this degree.

“For Semenyo to run that far and get his shot away is unimaginable – however the place Konate goes? He had a very poor evening tonight at centre-back.”

Semenyo a reason for Bournemouth optimism

Arne Slot was proper post-match. “It was a fantastic recreation to observe”, he declared. “That is what followers wish to see.”

This was every part a Premier League opener needs to be about. Leisure, excessive depth, comebacks and throwbacks. Beautiful targets in addition to the tough and prepared sort. It had the lot.

And subsequently, the actual fact it has been tainted by one senseless act of alleged racist abuse from a so-called fan at Anfield is very disappointing. What needs to be celebrated, nevertheless, is Semenyo’s response to that idiocy.

He gave Milos Kerkez and, latterly, Andy Robertson the runaround, scoring with two of his three photographs on the right track, from an anticipated targets worth of simply 0.89. His efficiency was a triumph of expertise and resolve and exhibits precisely why he had so many golf equipment this summer time.

The very fact Bournemouth have tied him right down to a brand new five-year deal is a large coup and likewise motive for optimism shifting ahead.
Laura Hunter

Newcastle see size of task to replace Isak

Newcastle introduced a united entrance after their goalless draw with Aston Villa. Eddie Howe described their efficiency as “magnificent”. Anthony Gordon and Dan Burn talked up their togetherness and group spirit in tough circumstances.

A degree at Villa Park represents a constructive outcome however they’d doubtless have been celebrating all three had Alexander Isak been obtainable. Their star striker, coaching on his personal as he continues to carry out for a transfer to Liverpool, was sorely missed.

Isak, scorer of 23 Premier League targets final season, would probably have buried one of many first-half probabilities that fell to his team-mates. The sport was a reminder of his significance. Newcastle have did not win any of their final six Premier League video games with out him. They haven’t even scored within the final 4. Their photographs have been price 1.43 anticipated targets at Villa Park however they did not capitalise.

Howe improvised in Isak’s absence, utilizing Gordon centrally with Harvey Barnes and Anthony Elanga both facet. “I actually prefer it,” mentioned Gordon of his new position afterwards. “As my profession progresses, I believe I’d find yourself extra central.”

He had his moments. Most notably with the run in behind to pressure Ezri Konsa’s crimson card. However total this was one other reminder of the massive job Newcastle will face to interchange Isak if he does go. With followers turning towards him, it’s a actuality they might quickly need to confront.
Nick Wright

Lapses in concentration cost Villa again

Lapses in focus have now value Aston Villa in back-to-back video games.

Outdated Trafford towards Manchester United within the final recreation of the 2024/25 season and now the opener within the 2025/26 marketing campaign. Two crimson playing cards for 2 key gamers.

Villa had simply gathered momentum within the fixture following the restart. Boubacar Kamara went shut with a header and Ollie Watkins rifled his shot straight at Nick Pope.

“The crimson card modified the sport,” Emery mentioned in his post-match press convention.

He was proper. Anthony Gordon darted behind the defence and was racing via on purpose, leaving Ezri Konsa with little selection aside from to tug the makeshift ahead down.

Villa did properly to collect themselves after that incident, however final season confirmed how expensive dropping factors might show to be.

Earlier than Konsa’s problem, it appeared like Emery’s facet have been gathering actual momentum and will go on to win the fixture.

It’s on no account a disastrous begin to the season for Villa however securing that first win now will get more durable.

They journey to Brentford for his or her subsequent fixture and might want to name upon their solely different centre-back off the bench, Pau Torres, to play alongside fellow left-footer Tyrone Mings.
Patrick Rowe

Haaland under the radar but remains key among new stars

Erling Haaland scored 22 Premier League targets final season and was deemed to have had a disappointing marketing campaign. He scored two on the opening day at Wolves and nonetheless did not make the headlines.

Such is his scoring prowess, it’s taken without any consideration. However make no mistake: his health and kind stays a key ingredient in Manchester Metropolis’s recipe for achievement.

Pep Guardiola’s facet appear to be they are going to be within the title combine this season, reinvigorated by the category of Tijjani Reijnders and impressed by the magic of Rayan Cherki. However Haaland was completely positioned to tuck of their opener and his agency end for the third indicated he’s sharp.

The striker was blunt together with his evaluation of Metropolis’s underperformance final time period however whereas new stars have created a buzz, Guardiola is counting on Haaland to hit the extraordinary ranges we have seen from him previously. He is off to begin.
Peter Smith

Work to do at Wolves before transfer window closes

Wolves have been tipped to have a tough season forward and a 4-0 residence defeat definitely did not quash these predictions.

Nevertheless, shedding to Manchester Metropolis is just not a dependable barometer to how Wolves will carry out towards nearly all of Premier League sides and boss Vitor Pereira was eager to stay constructive afterwards. “We dedicated a mistake, they scored,” he mentioned of Metropolis’s ending, whereas speaking up his group’s method to the problem.

Nevertheless, he additionally admitted he’s hoping for 3 or 4 gamers ‘at the very least’ earlier than the switch window closes and there is no doubt a facet shorn of the magic of Matheus Cunha wants a spark.

Whether or not that may be discovered out there stays to be seen – and will dictate the path of Wolves’ season.
Peter Smith

Frank has rejuvenated Richarlison to thank for perfect start

Options have been made about an exit plan for Richarlison this summer time. The ahead solely managed 4 league begins for Tottenham final season and 500 minutes in complete. His 4 targets have been indicative of a marketing campaign blighted by accidents, with kind not possible to come back by as a bit-part participant beneath Ange Postecoglou.

However this model of Richarlison, absolutely match and firing, is altogether completely different. He lastly seems to be able to dwell as much as the promise of a No 9, buoyed by Thomas Frank’s belief to play the starring position forward of Dominic Solanke.

A formidable double in Tottenham’s 3-0 win over Burnley hinted at a participant rejuvenated. It is laborious to think about a extra good begin for brand spanking new boss Frank, with summer time addition Mohammed Kudus offering each assists for Richarlison to ship two particular targets.

The ahead has solely teased his high quality since arriving in north London from Everton again in 2022. Many questioned his £60m price ticket. They have been proper to. But when this newest efficiency is an indication of issues to come back, pleasure ought to swiftly change the apathy.
Laura Hunter

Parker’s Burnley taught a lesson in Premier League ruthlessness

After Burnley’s defeat to Spurs, Scott Parker admitted their defeat was born out of the ruthlessness of the Premier League.

“It is the Premier League as properly and one of many greatest learnings from right this moment, is the clinicalness you need to be at, how fast you need to get your shot off,” Parker mentioned.

“You do not have quite a lot of time within the Premier League, clearly, towards world-class gamers, athletes, bodily. And that is the ruthlessness of the Premier League, all focus, protecting consideration consistently, as a result of the sport at any second can flip.”

Burnley, regardless of exhibiting promise throughout phases of the sport, have been bettered by a scientific, savvy and bodily Spurs facet.

Within the early phases of the second half as they chased an equaliser, Hannibal Mejbri’s hesitance on the ball meant that probability went begging. Burnley have been their architects of their very own demise on the day. Maxime Esteve gave away the ball for and Tottenham opened the scoring inside 10 minutes.

A misplaced duel, minutes after conceding the second, led to a 3rd as Burnley appeared to crumble. It is a lesson Parker’s facet should study from rapidly as they mount an try to stay within the prime flight.
William Bitibiri

Ballard is Sunderland’s Concorde, commanding the skies

Sunderland are the nice unknows of this Premier League season.

How would they address the step up?

Have they modified an excessive amount of too quickly from the Championship promotion-winning group? Would all the brand new signings slot in?

Early indicators are although they may very well be simply wonderful this season and it was one of many ‘previous guard’ that impressed most.

Dan Ballard, hero of the play-off semi-final win over Coventry, rose to the event as soon as once more. He was a colossus. A rock. He was constantly in the correct place on the proper time to fend off West Ham’s assaults. No participant on the pitch received extra duels (10) or made extra clearances (8).

He was like Concorde – commanding the skies together with his dominant aerial skill, showcased by his implausible headed purpose, one in all 4 photographs he had within the recreation. Large issues may very well be on the horizon for Ballard and Sunderland this season.
Lewis Jones

Potter’s stock at its lowest

Everyone knows what Graham Potter’s groups can do within the Premier League – his Brighton group was distinctive and tactically forward of their time. His inventory was at its highest there. It is now at its lowest with questions to noticeably reply about whether or not his soccer can thrive at West Ham.

There is a little bit of id disaster on the membership.

Potter desires to make them extra possession-orientated and tactically versatile however the success West Ham beneath David Moyes was all about defensive organisation and creating massive moments in transition. Jarrod Bowen and Lucas Paqueta – West Ham’s two most potent attacking gamers – are at their greatest with house to roam into. They give the impression of being cramped and restricted taking part in on this present model. It is testomony to Bowen’s skill that he continues to be their star man. He did not should be on the shedding facet.

Potter must discover a answer.
Lewis Jones

A familiar feeling for Brighton which is holding them back

On the face of it, there was all the time going to be late drama between Brighton and Fulham. Rodrigo Muniz’s late equaliser means there have been 4 targets scored after the 79th minute within the final three encounters.

For Brighton, nevertheless, there was a well-recognized story. One other lead dropped, one other missed probability. Twenty-two factors have been dropped from successful positions final season. Add two extra to the Fabian Hurzeler period.

Brighton’s performances beneath the German have been good – the eighth-placed end for the 32-year-old was under-rated when it comes to Premier League achievements final season. Think about how good they’d be if they will maintain on to a lead?

But when proprietor Tony Bloom desires to see his dream of being in Europe each season – then his gamers will want some spine.
Sam Blitz

King is a gem – but Fulham need more elsewhere

Carlos Baleba had been strongly linked to Manchester United this week, however he was outshone by one other younger gem after 25 minutes.

It was solely Josh King’s second Premier League begin however the 18-year-old was doing rings across the Brighton midfielder. He was Fulham’s greatest risk and the participant making issues occur all through.

{The teenager} mixed properly with Fulham’s key participant from final 12 months, Alex Iwobi, down the left, with King’s directness, consolation on the ball and aggressiveness within the duels a motive why he began over the obtainable and extra skilled choices of Emile Smith Rowe and Andreas Pereira.

“He is a prime expertise participant and I did not have any reservations to start out with him,” mentioned Marco Silva. However the Fulham supervisor can’t depend on an 18-year-old for attacking inspiration.

Extra signings are wanted – with Fulham but to make an outfield buy this summer time. Rodrigo Muniz is needed elsewhere and even when he stays, seven out of his final 9 Premier League targets have come as an alternative. Fulham want extra gamers like King to make the distinction from the off.
Sam Blitz